Details for Item # 14182		+
Rare Colt Berdan Rifle U.S.	Price: US $8495.00
Click on thumbnails below to enlarge images	Maker: Colt Model: Berdan

This Colt produced Berdan Rifle is in .42 bottleneck caliber which fired a patched 370 grain lead bullet with 78 grains of black powder. As to scarcity, some 30,000 were produced and shipped to Russia with Russian cyrillic markings on the barrel. Only 30 to 100 were produced with American markings "Colt's Pt. Firearms Mfg Co. Hartford Ct." The barrel measures 32 1/2" and has a bright, excellent bore. The rear sight is set for 100 yards in the "flat" position and graduated from 600 to 1400 yards when upright. The rifle was designed and patented by Col. Hiram Berdan of Civil War sharpshooter fame but the U.S. government was not interested in military firearms during the period of this rifle manufacture, 1866-1870. Had it not been for the large Russian contract at this time, Colt might have experienced fatal financial difficulty. This example is walnut stocked to withing 3 1/2" of the muzzle and measures 53 1/8" overall. No serial number is visible with the only markings being the Colt-Hartford barrel mark and the rear sight graduations. The gun may be numbered underneath the barrel or action but we do not wish to take it apart so this will remain an unknown to us. The gun has 2 barrel bands that are screw fastened and is complete with the correct 32 3/16" cleaning rod. A bayonet lug is attached to the right side of the barrel 1 1/4" back from the muzzle. Metal finish is a dark blue turning to plum color on the rear housing and trap door. The triggerguard and smooth steel buttplate show traces of bright blue with some moderate freckling. The walnut stock is tight and sound showing some scattered light bruising and handling marks. All in all, a rare Colt rifle with perhaps no more than perhaps 40 pieces still in existence with the American barrel markings. A very scarce item for the Colt or single shot rifle collector. Antique